Modular interconnecting refrigerator units

ABSTRACT

A modular interconnecting refrigeration system assembling two or more individual sub-units in place to function and appear as a larger refrigeration unit. Individual sub-units are easily carried though the smaller openings of older buildings. Assembled sub-units may integrate utility systems (electricity, water, data) and coolant systems (coolant, ventilation).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. (Provisional) Application 62/495,640 filed Sep. 20, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to refrigeration systems. Particularly to the field of refrigerators and freezers for commercial or residential use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Larger high-end refrigerator/freezer appliances are desirable and increasingly popular in homes; however, these are often difficult or impossible to bring into older buildings. These modern refrigerator/freezers may not fit up older, smaller staircases or through existing interior doorways and thresholds. Many owners and occupants are unable to bring in these popular, larger refrigerator/freezer systems.

Many occupants may be restricted from physically altering those entryways and passages. Those intrepid individuals who are willing to go to great lengths to have a larger refrigerator/freezer, may face the costs of removing or widening these openings. Another alternative, which can be even more prohibitive may be to remove or widen an existing window or windows and hoist in a desired refrigerator/freezer unit. Even if a building owner is willing to go to such great lengths to accommodate installation, there will still be difficulty down the road if the refrigerator/freezer requires removal for service or replacement.

One existing solution that exists is installing smaller, completely separate units, such as built-in units integrated into cabinetry. These smaller units tend to be of narrower width and install only as a separate refrigerator and freezer modules. In this existing solution, each unit operates independently and requires independent connections to power, water and any other utility connections.

Larger integrated refrigerator/freezer units remain highly desirable in homes, but there is not yet a realistic option for using these in older buildings with narrow stairs, thresholds and passageways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a system of modular interconnected refrigerator/freezer sub-units. Two or more sub-units can be assembled by connecting the required utility systems (electricity, water, gas, drain and data) and optional cooling systems (ventilation, cold air ducts, coolant, and meat keeper orifice). In one embodiment sub-units mechanically interlock or click-connect. Such mechanical connection can be secured via one or more latches, lock and key, magnets or a digital locking system.

In one embodiment, each individual unit can contain its own cooling system and compressor, sharing only basic household utility system hook-ups (electricity, water, drain). However, in a further embodiment, some units can piggy-back on the cooling systems of other connected modules sharing cooling related utility systems (ventilation cold air ducts or coolant). Each of these approaches has its advantages. Multiple interconnected units sharing only basic utility system hookups would feature redundancy in cooling systems, ensuring that if one coolant system failed, requiring service or replacement, that other interconnected systems would not be disturbed and the contents could remain at the desired temperature. However, in contrast, by further integrating the cooling systems of adjacent units, the weight of the overall system would be greatly reduced, the materials costs and environment impact of manufacture would be reduced, while the useable size of the interior refrigeration compartments would be increased.

In one embodiment, individual sub-units can be made of compact enough dimensions (particularly their width) to fit older building standards in most major metropolitan areas. This will allow individual sub-units to be carried through older, smaller buildings. In one particular embodiment, the sub-units can fit through doorways and passages of under 30″ width. In a further embodiment, the sub-units can fit through doorways and passages of as little as 24″ width.

In one embodiment, individual sub-units can interconnect in a side-to-side configuration, connecting two or more freestanding units (for example, in one configuration, one refrigerator can interconnect with one freezer unit, forming a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer). In yet another embodiment, individual sub-units can interconnect in a top-and-bottom configuration. In a further embodiment, units can interconnect in both side-to-si de and top-and-bottom configuration.

In one embodiment, utility and data connections can be integral to the interlocking (click-connect) system. Herein, by properly aligning two individual sub-units and engaging the mechanical interlock, the various utility and data connections being shared between the two sub-units are also aligned and engaged.

In another embodiment, utility and data can be connected via flexible connectors attached to one or more sides of each sub-unit (the top, bottom, sides, or rear of the units). In a particularly convenient embodiment, the flexible connections can be made easily accessibly after mechanical interconnection via a small access panel on the front of a unit.

In one embodiment the mechanical interconnection can be made of plastic, reinforced plastic, metal latches. In another embodiment the mechanical interconnection can be made by magnetic or electro-magnetic locking mechanism.

In another embodiment, the individual sub-units can feature a manual or automatic leveling system to align adjacent sub-units placed on an uneven surface for secure connection of mechanical interlock and any integrated utility systems connections.

In one embodiment the utility connection can be locking or magnetic. In another embodiment utility and data connections can feature quick-release connectors that break away securely under tension, preventing damage to the utility or data ports. In a further embodiment such break-away connectors and/or ports can feature an automatic shut-off, preventing the flow of fluids or gases upon any purposeful or accidental disconnection. In a further embodiment, such port can feature manual shut-off valves to prepare for the disconnection or any fluids or gases.

In one embodiment, individual sub-units can network with each other or an existing network on-site via wireless or wired data connections. Such data connections can include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee wireless or other open or proprietary data systems.

In a further embodiment, individual sub-units' control systems and/or computer systems can be interconnected via wired or wireless digital or analog control networks. For example, a freezer unit and refrigerator unit can share a single control interface located on either sub-unit. In a further embodiment, the control interface can be via a computer application operating on a smart phone, tablet or other digital device. The advantages of an app controlled or app connected embodiment are particularly helpful for commercial applications requiring temperature data logging for health code compliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following Figure drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units sharing utility and/or cooling systems connections;

FIG. 2 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units sharing utility and/or cooling systems connections, where one sub-unit features two separate refrigeration compartments;

FIG. 3 is a front-view showing at least three individual interconnected sub-units in top-and-bottom and side-by-side configuration;

FIG. 4 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units featuring integrated interlocking utility and/or data connections;

FIG. 5 is a rear-view showing two individual interconnected sub-units featuring three flexible connectors and two mechanical latches;

FIG. 6 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units, each featuring rolling casters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention shown in FIG. 1 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system, featuring two 101 sub-units. Each sub-unit has exterior features including: 102 side exterior surfaces, a 103 top exterior surface, a 104 bottom exterior surface. Connected modules are linked by at least one 105 utility systems connection (such as electricity, water, gas, drain and data). In a further embodiment, 106 coolant systems connections are made between connected modules (cold air vents, high and low pressure coolant lines, meat keeper orifice).

In one embodiment, two refrigerator modules can be connected and configured so that one is cooled to freezer-level temperatures creating a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer system. These two or more modules can be designed to share utility systems, or can further share their cooling systems elements, allowing shared use of a single compressor system.

The invention shown in FIG. 2 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system, as in FIG. 1 featuring two 201 sub-units. Each refrigeration unit has at least one 202 refrigeration compartment inside. Connected modules are linked by at least one 205 utility systems connection (such as electricity, water, drain or data). In a further embodiment, 206 coolant systems connections are made between connected modules (cold air vents, high and low pressure coolant lines).

The invention shown in FIG. 3 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 301 sub-units, combining both 302 stacked configuration with the top of one unit mating to the bottom of another unit and 303 side-by-side configuration with the adjacent sides of two units mating. Further 304 sub-units may be connected. In one embodiment of the invention each sub-unit could be full-height, appearing as a tall, narrow refrigerator when separated and a larger unit once connected. However, as FIG. 3 depicts, by allowing stacking as well as side-by-side connections, the individual units can be designed smaller still (shorter and lighter). Such an embodiment would be ideal for food-service installations (including temporary installations such as seasonal catering or larger festival events).

The invention shown in FIG. 4 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 401 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the utility system connections and optional coolant system connections are integrated in the mating surfaces of adjacent sub-units. This can be accomplished, for example, by 402 male and 403 female connectors that align and interconnect during the mechanical attachment of adjacent units.

The invention shown in FIG. 5 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 501 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the adjacent sub-units are secured by multiple 502 mechanical interlocks (which can be latches, locking latches, magnetic connectors or simple screw & plate connectors). Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the utility system connections and optional coolant system connections are achieved by attaching 504 flexible connectors to integrated 503 connection ports.

The invention shown in FIG. 6 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 601 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the adjacent sub-units are connected at a 602 mating surface with multiple 605 utility system connections and 606 coolant system connections. In this particular embodiment, the sub-units are mounted on 603 rolling castors allowing the sub-units to easily be positioned. In a further embodiment, the castors can be leveling castors, allowing the sub-units to easily be leveled before mechanical interconnection and systems interconnection is achieved. This is especially important if the sub-units are installed on uneven surfaces and if the units feature utility system connections and/or coolant systems connections that are integrated in the mating surfaces. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An apparatus comprising: two or more sub-units, wherein each sub-unit has an exterior body, an interior refrigeration compartment, a rear exterior surface, a front exterior surface, two side surfaces, a top exterior surface, a bottom exterior surface, a mating surface, a mechanical interlock to securely attach two or more sub-units, and a utility systems connection.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the utility systems connection includes one or more selections from the group consisting of: electricity, water, drain, gas and data.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units further feature a coolant systems connection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the coolant systems connection includes one or more selections from the group consisting of: ventilation, coolant, cold air, meat keeper orifice.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units are connected by a wireless data connection.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the utility systems connections are integrated directly on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the two or more sub-units feature a leveling device, wherein the leveling device function to align the integrated utility systems connections and the mechanical interlock of the two or more sub-units.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the leveling device is selected from the group consisting of: leveling feet, leveling castors and leveling bolts.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the leveling device changes the height of the utility systems connections integrated directly on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the utility systems connections are made by attaching one or more flexible connectors to one or more connection ports on the two or more sub-units.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more flexible connectors include a flow stop mechanism functioning to prevent liquids or gases from escaping the one or more connection ports once disconnected from the one ore more flexible connectors.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units further include a cavity of sufficient size to conceal the one or more flexible connectors.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located on the rear exterior surface.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located behind an access panel in the front exterior surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units connect between the side exterior surfaces.
 17. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units connect between the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface.
 18. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the exterior body has a width of thirty inches or less.
 19. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the exterior body has a width between 24 inches and 30 inches.
 20. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the two or more sub-units share a control interface. 